by Daniel Andrade
Courtesy of Big Beach Films
For those of us who grew up in the 90s, many fun and educational programs come to mind that were emblematic of our childhood and that displayed the true potential of public television. Sesame Street, Barney, Reading Rainbow, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Wishbone, and many more served as our unofficial babysitters at times, exposing us to the world in a way that we could understand as children and empowering our natural curiosity. But one show ushered them in and made them all possible, and that was Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Hosted by the soft-spoken and sensitive Fred Rogers, this show was not afraid to treat children like adults-in-the-making, delving into complex and often heavy topics like death, divorce, and war. Whatever the topic, Mr. Rogers looked straight through the camera and into all of us and reminded us that it’s ok to be mad, sad, and confused, and that we would find a way to get through this. He reminded each and every one of us that we were special and loved just the way we were. So how can you do justice to such an iconic man in a film? A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood takes on that challenge and succeeds.
The film takes a look at Mr. Rogers and his show as seen through the eyes of Esquire journalist Lloyd Vogel, a bitter and cynical man with a reputation for being harsh on his interview subjects. It is framed beautifully in the same style as a classic episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, with the memorable little model town serving as our world for the movie, Mr. Rogers singing his jaunty little tune we all know and love while getting comfortable in his sweater and sneakers, then calmly talking to us about the topic of the “show:” forgiveness. In his tried-and-true way, Mr. Rogers brilliantly covers that theme in the movie through his calm, deliberate conversations and his ability to connect with Lloyd and get him to say things he’s been holding back and hanging on to for years. I know it’s bizarre, but I honestly felt like a kid again watching this movie, in the best possible way, nodding and agreeing and answering Mr. Rogers’ questions and being fascinated by how magazines are made. The gentle piano so strongly linked to Mr. Rogers also added to the nostalgia factor. There’s even a moment in the film where Mr. Rogers asks Lloyd to take a minute to silently reflect on life, and at least in my theater, every single person was actively participating as well, it was truly a magical moment. Overall, the movie did an excellent job of capturing the magic that was Mr. Rogers, which really added to the experience of the film. A big part of that was due to the marvelous acting in the film.
When Tom Hanks was announced as Mr. Rogers, many people thought that one of America’s most beloved actors would be a perfect fit as such an important figure. I’m happy to report those people were correct; Hanks is absolutely sublime in this role. He embodies the serene, inquisitive nature of Fred Rogers perfectly. He also captures some of the more complex sides of Mr. Rogers that many of us may have never been able to see otherwise. There’s one particular scene where we see what Mr. Rogers looks like behind the scenes while he is portraying Daniel the Striped Tiger; it’s fascinating to watch, almost as if he surrenders himself to Daniel to allow the tiger to communicate for him. We see him give in to his more negative emotions, allow them to flow through and out of him, and then collect himself and be tranquil once again. Matthew Rhys does a wonderful job playing Lloyd and beautifully shows a bitter, angry man coming to terms with his emotions and learning to not run from them or push people away in the process. Seeing Lloyd genuinely being moved and curious by Mr. Rogers makes you marvel at the man as well, wondering if Mr. Rogers is more than just the character we see on TV. The chemistry between Rhys and Hanks is electric as well, they play off of each other so naturally and support each other throughout the film. Chris Cooper also does an excellent job portraying a father trying hard to reconnect with his estranged son. The journey he and Rhys take together is riveting, from the initial tension between them to the eventual thawing of their anger.
I will say that what I loved most about this movie might also be why some won’t like it. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a show aimed at children, and as such, the pacing of it was slow to allow kids to process and understand it. So with that in mind, this movie is definitely a slow-burn of a film. It was moving, emotional moments, but they do come at a more slow and deliberate pace. And while that certainly makes the film feel like a more authentic homage to both Mr. Rogers and his show, it may come off as a bit boring for some. Additionally, there is a scene that is a bit supernatural in nature, and while it is interesting and helps some of the characters deal with their emotions, it does stand out as a bit random from the overall tone of the film that had been developed up to that point.
CONCLUSION: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a carefully crafted love-letter to both Mr. Rogers and his iconic television show that impacted the lives of so many. The film’s attention to detail to both Rogers' mannerisms and speech patterns, as well as the overall tone of the show, is impressive and endearing. Hanks is perfect as Mr. Rogers, and Rhys provides a stellar performance as well. Additionally, they work well off of each other, balancing each other out. While this film only takes a brief glimpse into the life of Rogers, it is an engrossing look at the man and the power he has to get people of all ages to come to terms with their feelings.
FINAL SCORE: 4/5
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